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Newcastle is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, located between a working harbour and beautiful beaches on the north coast of NSW. It's a great base from which to explore the local area which includes many natural attractions that are within easy driving distance of the city. The following links hold the key to unlocking what’s on in the Hunter region all year round.

Upcoming events

DCO Welcome Day - Williamtown

Where: Medowie Christian School, 6A Waropara Road, Medowie

When: Sunday, 25th February 2018, 10:00am - 12:00pm

RSVP: by Friday 9 February 2018 to dco.hunterrims [at] defence.gov.au include members name and PMKeys number, how many adults and children attending, contact number and email.

ADF members and families are invited to join us for a day of family fun. There will be community information available, plus a variety of free activities, including face painting, balloon artist, photo booth, roving magician and more. Fun for everyone!

Welcome events are a great opportunity for Defence families to get to know their local area. They are always relaxed social occasions during which Defence families can meet each other and get to know more about the services and support in their local area.

DCO’s welcome events help our families build community and social networks, gain information about Defence and community-based services, and enjoy a day out with the family. Although welcome events focus on new families posting into the area, they are open to all ADF members and their families.

Free movie in the park at Wirraway Thornton

Join us to celebrate the opening of ‘Wirraway Park’ with a free outdoor cinema. Enjoy a sunset screening of “A dog’s purpose” and an aerobatics display by an original Wirraway aircraft.There will be food and drinks available for purchase or why not bring a picnic (don’t forget your rug to sit on)!

When: Sat, 3 March 2018

Time: from 6pm for a sunset movie screening

Where: Wirraway Park, off Wirraway Drive in Thornton

RSVP: developments [at] dha.gov.au with number of attendees. Please also include your mobile number as event changes due to bad weather will be communicated via SMS.

Free fitness boot camps - Thornton NSW

DHA has partnered with ‘Live Life Get Active’ to kick off a series of free fitness classes at Wirraway in Thornton. The 45-minute classes run each week day and feature boxing, yoga and x-training.

Housing assistance review

The annual review of housing assistance has been completed, with the new rates being published early in 2018.

The annual review of service residence and rental allowance contributions involves assessing the national average rent for Defence houses in each rent band. This results in contributions being calculated on actual rent changes.

Acting Director Military Conditions and Housing Policy Derek Cox said providing housing assistance to ADF members was a longstanding policy.

"The annual review is undertaken to ensure the Defence requirement of sharing the national cost of housing with members on a 50/50 basis is met each year," Mr Cox said.

"The rent band method offers transparency for calculating contribution increases based on actual rental increases rather than forecasts."

Member contributions for living in accommodation will be adjusted in line with the September 2017 rents and utilities subcomponents of the consumer price index.

Casual meal rates and the fortnightly meal contribution will also be reviewed to ensure any revised rates are based on the reasonable recovery of actual national average costs incurred by Defence in providing meals.